Method for unlocking a vehicle door for an authorized user

ABSTRACT

A method for unlocking a door for an authorized user of a vehicle via a door unlocking system of the vehicle includes providing a control at the vehicle, providing a near field communication device at the vehicle, and wirelessly communicating, via the near field communication device of the vehicle, with a near field communication-enabled smartphone when the smartphone is within a threshold distance from the vehicle. Responsive to the near field communication device of the vehicle communicating with the smartphone, it is determined whether or not the smartphone is an authorized device. The smartphone is authenticated as an authorized device for communication with the near field communication device of the equipped vehicle. Responsive to the smartphone being authenticated as an authorized device, the locking mechanism is actuated, at least in part via the control, to unlock the vehicle door for the user of the authorized device.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/072,638, filed Mar. 17, 2016, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,616,808,which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/456,166,filed Aug. 11, 2014, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,290,970, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/674,458, filed Nov.12, 2012, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,801,245, which claims the filing benefitsof U.S. provisional applications, Ser. No. 61/602,148, filed Feb. 23,2012, Ser. No. 61/592,743, filed Jan. 31, 2012, and Ser. No. 61/559,398,filed Nov. 14, 2011, which are hereby incorporated herein by referencein their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to door handles for vehicles and, moreparticularly, to an exterior door handle for opening a side door of avehicle.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A door handle for a vehicle door typically includes a handle portionthat is pivotable relative to a base portion, whereby pivotal movementof the handle portion pulls at a cable or rod to electrically trigger ormove a latch mechanism to release the latch and open the door. It isknown to provide illumination or light sources at the side of thevehicle, such as to provide security lighting or convenience lighting atthe side of the vehicle. For example, such lighting devices aredescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,349,450; 6,550,103; 5,371,659; 5,669,699;5,823,654 and 5,497,305, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. Typically, such lighting devices provideillumination along the side of the vehicle and down to the ground at theside of the vehicle. Such illumination thus may have glare or brightspots at the side of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an illumination module or device for avehicle, such as for an exterior door handle assembly, for providingillumination at the door handle of the vehicle to indicate operation ofa security system of the vehicle.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a door handle assemblyfor a door of a vehicle includes a base portion mountable to the vehicledoor and a handle portion that is disposed at the base portion and ismovable or pivotable relative to the base portion and the vehicle door.The door handle assembly includes an illumination module comprising atleast one illumination source and an iconistic/icon element and a coverelement. The illumination source (such as, for example, a light emittingdiode or electroluminescence light source or the like), when operated,backlights the icon element so that an icon of the icon element isviewable through the cover element at an exterior surface of the handleportion. The icon of the icon element comprises a security icon and theillumination module is operable to backlight the security icon when asecurity system of the vehicle is operational.

Optionally, an illumination module may provide lighting at or along theexterior of the door handle to enhance the viewability of the doorhandle when illuminated in low ambient lighting conditions. Theillumination module may include a light pipe that extends along anexterior portion of the door handle, and may be operable responsive to apassive entry system or key fob signal or the like. The illuminationmodule may include a door locking switch or button that is actuatable bya user grasping or touching the door handle exterior of the vehicle,such that the illumination module provides a common circuit element orcircuit board for illumination of the door handle and for unlocking ofthe vehicle door and optionally for operation of a passive entry systemof the door and/or vehicle.

These and other objects, advantages, purposes and features of thepresent invention will become apparent upon review of the followingspecification in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle with a door handle assembly ofthe present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a door handle assembly with asecurity beacon in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a door handle assembly and securitybeacon of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a door handle assembly and illuminatedlogo in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a door handle assembly inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a lens and light pipe sub-assembly ofthe door handle assembly of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a light module of the door handleassembly of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 8 and 9 are exploded perspective views of another lens and lightsub-assembly suitable for use in a door handle assembly of the presentinvention;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of another door handle assemblyin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a light module of the door handleassembly of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of another door handle assemblyin accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a light module of the door handleassembly of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a ground illumination and projectionlight module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of the ground illumination and projectionlight module of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a ground illumination and projectionlight module in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of the ground illumination andprojection light module of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a sectional view of the ground illumination and projectionlight module of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing projection lighting provided by aprojection lighting device at the side of a vehicle;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing projection and ground illuminationlighting provided by the ground illumination and projection light moduleof the present invention when disposed at the side of a vehicle; and

FIG. 21 is a schematic of a door handle-based near field communicationsystem of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings and the illustrative embodiments depictedtherein, a vehicle door handle assembly 10 is mountable to a door 12 aof a vehicle 12 and operable to release a latch mechanism (not shown) ofthe door 12 a to open the vehicle door (FIG. 1). Vehicle door handleassembly 10 includes a handle portion 14 that is disposed at the doorand that is pivotable or movable or adjustable relative to the door orto a second or front base portion or bracket mounted to the door. Doorhandle assembly 10 includes at least one illumination module 16 at thestrap portion 14 for providing illumination or backlighting of asecurity indicator or other indicator or icon or logo or the like of theillumination module, as discussed below.

Door handle assembly 10 may comprise any suitable type of door handleassembly, and may include or incorporate aspects of the door handleassemblies described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,203, and/or PCT ApplicationNo. PCT/US08/62347, filed May 2, 2008 and published Nov. 13, 2008 asInternational Publication No. WO 2008/137634, and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/499,183, filed Jul. 8, 2009 and published Jan.14, 2010 as U.S. Publication No. US-2010-0007463; Ser. No. 12/499,183,filed Oct. 12, 2009 and published Apr. 15, 2010 as U.S. Publication No.US-2010-0088855; and/or Ser. No. 12/976,594, filed Dec. 22, 2010, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,786,401, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. For example, handle assembly 10 mayinclude a strap or handle portion 14 that is pivotable or movable orlaterally movable relative to the door to move an actuating lever ormember or arm or bell crank or the like, which in turn moves a cable orrod or linkage or the like to actuate or release the latch mechanism ofthe door to open the vehicle door. Although shown in FIG. 1 as a straptype handle, the handle assembly may comprise any suitable type ofvehicle door handle assembly, such as a paddle type vehicle door handleassembly (having a paddle or handle portion that is pivotable about agenerally horizontal pivot axis to open the vehicle door, such as ahandle assembly of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,349,450;6,550,103 and/or 6,907,643, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties) or other type of vehicle door handleassembly, while remaining within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

Optionally, and desirably, and as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, illuminationmodule 16 may be disposed at or near an end 18 of handle portion 14.Illumination module 16 includes at least one illumination source orlight source 20 (such as a light emitting diode (LED) orelectroluminescence light source or the like) that is operable to emitillumination, such as in response to a triggering or activating deviceor event. For example, the illumination source may be actuatable inresponse to at least one of a touch of the door handle, a movement ofthe strap or handle portion, actuation of a remote keyless entry module,or passive entry device, a motion detection at the vehicle, an insertionof a key into a keyhole at the door handle, and/or activation ordeactivation or operation of a security system of the vehicle.Preferably, the illumination source is deactuatable following a periodof time after actuation of the illumination source. Optionally, thelight module and/or illumination source or sources may have a dimmingcontrol feature or function, such that the illumination source, whenactivated, is ramped up or progressively powered up to its fullillumination state, and when deactivated, is ramped down or dimmed orprogressively powered down to its deactivated state.

The illumination source may comprise any suitable illumination source,such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), such as whitelight-emitting LEDs or high intensity power LEDs (such as the typesdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,195,381 and/or 6,690,268, which are herebyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties) or organic lightemitting diodes (OLEDs) or electroluminescent light sources or the like.The illumination source may comprise a substantially whitelight-emitting illumination source, or may comprise a coloredlight-emitting illumination source (or a white light-emittingillumination source may emit light that passes through a color filter orthe like) to provide color illumination (such as blue or other color asdesired) at the door handle area depending on the particular applicationof the door handle assembly and illumination module. For example, theillumination module may emit or transmit colored light that may match orcorrespond to the interior and/or exterior lighting of the particularvehicle to which the door handle assembly is mounted.

In the illustrated embodiment (and with reference to FIG. 2),illumination module 16 comprises a small, self-contained module thatincludes a base portion 22 that receives or supports a circuit element24 (at which illumination source or LED 20 is established) and an outercover or housing portion 26 that substantially encases the illuminationsource and circuitry of the illumination module 16. An iconistic elementor icon element or optic film or template 28 or the like is disposedbetween the illumination source 20 and the cover 26, such that, when theillumination source is activated, the icon formed at the template orfilm 28 is backlit so as to be viewable through or at the cover 26 by aperson viewing the door handle assembly from outside of the vehicle.

The cover 26 is partially received in or at or through an aperture 18 aestablished at the end portion 18 of handle 14, whereby an outer wall orsurface 26 a of cover 26 may substantially correspond to the contours ofthe door handle assembly at the illumination module such that the doorhandle assembly has a substantially continuous outer surface or wall atthe illumination module. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover 26 is shaped orconfigured or formed so that an outer, narrower diameter or reduceddimensioned portion 26 b is received through aperture 18 a, while alarger diameter or increased dimensioned portion 26 c limits insertionof the cover through the aperture 18 from inside the handle assembly.The height or dimension of the narrower portion 26 b that extends fromthe larger portion 26 c may be selected or sized to generally correspondto the thickness of the wall of the door handle, so that, when the coveris inserted into and seated at the aperture 18 a of the handle 14, theouter surface 26 a of cover 26 is generally flush with the outer surfaceof the handle portion 14. The module and housing may be substantiallysealed so as to be substantially impervious to water, dirt, debris andthe like, so that the module is well suited for the exterior applicationat the vehicle door handle. The outer wall or walls of the cover aresubstantially flush with the outer surface and contours of the strapportion of the door handle assembly, and may be colored so as tosubstantially match or contrast the color of the strap portion and/orthe color of the vehicle door, depending on the particular applicationof the door handle assembly and illumination module.

The cover 26 of illumination module 16 may be at least partially orsubstantially translucent or transparent such that illumination emittedvia the illumination source or illumination sources is transmittedthrough cover 26 for viewing by a person outside the vehicle.Optionally, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the cover and icon film ofillumination module 16 may function to provide a security beacon or thelike, so that a person viewing the door handle can recognize that asecurity system of the vehicle is activated or operational. For example,the illumination module or security beacon may flash red (or otherdesired or suitable color) to indicate operation of the security systemof the vehicle.

Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 4, the illumination module 16′ mayprovide a cover and icon film or template that provides a display of avehicle logo or the like (or any other vehicle logo or brand name orcustom display icon or the like). Thus, the illumination modules mayprovide a back lit icon or indicia or logo or emblem to provide enhancedground illumination at the side of a vehicle. The icon or indicia orlogo or emblem may comprise the vehicle manufacturer logo or the like,or may comprise a selected icon or indicia or logo, such as may beselected by the owner of the vehicle. For example, the owner of thevehicle may select a module having a desired icon or indicia or logoelement or optic and the selected illumination module may be installedin the vehicle door handle and/or mirror assembly (or elsewhere on thevehicle, such as at or on or in the vehicle door or at or on or in aside panel of the vehicle or the like) to provide the customized orpersonalized ground illumination function. Such a selection andinstallation of the illumination module may be performed duringmanufacturing of the vehicle or as an aftermarket change to the vehicle.The icon illumination module thus may provide a personalized orcustomized illumination at the side of the vehicle, such as by utilizingaspects of the systems and assemblies described in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,626,749; 7,255,451 and/or 7,289,037, which are hereby incorporatedherein by reference in their entireties. Optionally, the illuminationmodule may comprise a reconfigurable and/or programmable display toprovide a security beacon feature and/or other display feature, such asa logo or icon or the like, at the exterior door handle of the vehicle.Optionally, the illumination module may be disposed elsewhere at theexterior of the vehicle, such as at an exterior rearview mirror assemblyof the vehicle (such as at the housing of the mirror assembly or in thehousing and behind the reflective element so as to be viewable throughthe reflective element) or the like. Optionally, an illumination modulewith a backlit icon of the types described above may be disposed at aninterior portion of a vehicle, such as at an interior rearview mirrorassembly (such as at a mirror casing or behind a reflective element andviewable through the reflective element or the like) of the vehicle orsuch as at or proximate to the interior door lock button or switch orthe like. The illumination module thus may provide a security indicatorfunction at the interior rearview mirror assembly or elsewhere in theinterior cabin of the vehicle.

Optionally, and desirably, the cover and/or housing may be overmoldedover the illumination source or sources and circuitry to provide asubstantially sealed and substantially water impervious illuminationmodule. For example, the housing may be overmolded over and around ametal stamping or stamped circuit element or plate with the illuminationsource or sources (such as LEDs or the like) fastened thereto orotherwise established thereon, or the housing may be overmolded over andaround a printed circuit board or element with the illumination sourcesestablished thereon.

Thus, the illumination module of the present invention comprises a smallillumination device or module that is disposed at a handle portion of avehicle door handle assembly, and is operable to backlight an icon atthe door handle. The illumination or backlighting intensity may be lowenough to provide a glow at the logo or icon or beacon, yet high enoughto be seen or discerned in high ambient or daytime lighting conditions.Optionally, the backlighting intensity may be controlled or adjusted orvaried, such as in response to an ambient light sensor, so that thebacklighting intensity is increased during daytime lighting conditionsand decreased or activated at a reduced intensity during nighttimelighting conditions.

Thus, the present invention provides a security beacon at or in the doorhandle of the vehicle so that it is more visible to a person exterior ofthe vehicle. The security beacon of the present invention would bedisposed at the door handle of both the driver side and passenger sideof the vehicle (such as at the front driver side door and at the frontpassenger side door). Optionally, and in addition to the security beaconfunction or application, the illumination device or module of thepresent invention may be operable as an indicator to provide the driverwith feedback as the driver or user or operator uses his or her key fobor as the passive or keyless entry system (PKE system) of the vehicleoperates. Optionally, the illumination device or module may displayvehicle logos or the like, and may use variable color LEDs that could belinked to an interior lighting system of the vehicle, such as to aMYCOLOR™ interior lighting system of the vehicle or the like.

Referring now to FIGS. 5-7, a vehicle door handle assembly 110 includesa base portion or cap portion that is mountable to a vehicle door and ahandle or strap portion 114 that is pivotally mounted to the door or toa second or front base portion or bracket mounted to the door. Strapportion 114 is pivotable or movable or laterally movable relative to thedoor and the cap portion to move an actuating lever or member or arm orbell crank or the like at cap portion, which in turn moves a cable orrod or linkage or the like to actuate or release the latch mechanism ofthe door to open the vehicle door. Door handle assembly 110 includes alight strip or assembly 118 that is illuminated via at least oneillumination source 120 at the handle portion 114 for providingillumination along the outer surface or bezel 116 of the handle assembly110, as discussed below.

Door handle assembly 110 may comprise any suitable type of door handleassembly, and may include or incorporate aspects of the door handleassemblies described in U.S. Pat. Publication No. US 2006/0038418,published Feb. 23, 2006, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety. Handle or strap portion 114 includes agrasping portion 122 for a user to grab and pull at to open the vehicledoor. The handle portion 114 also includes opposite end portions 123,124 at opposite ends of the grasping portion 122. End portion 123attaches to the linkages of the door mechanism at the base portion ofthe door handle, while end portion 124 pivotally or movably or laterallymovably attaches or mounts to the vehicle door or to a bracket or thelike at the vehicle door, such as in a known manner and/or such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,203, and/or PCT Application No.PCT/US08/62347, filed May 2, 2008 and published Nov. 13, 2008 asInternational Publication No. WO 2008/137634, and/or U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 12/499,183, filed Jul. 8, 2009 and published Jan.14, 2010 as U.S. Publication No. US-2010-0007463; Ser. No. 12/499,183,filed Oct. 12, 2009 and published Apr. 15, 2010 as U.S. Publication No.US-2010-0088855; and/or Ser. No. 12/976,594, filed Dec. 22, 2010, nowU.S. Pat. No. 8,786,401, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties. Although shown as a strap type handle,the handle assembly may comprise any suitable type of vehicle doorhandle assembly, such as a paddle type vehicle door handle assembly(having a paddle or handle portion that is pivotable about a generallyhorizontal pivot axis to open the vehicle door, such as a handleassembly of the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,349,450; 6,550,103and 6,907,643, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties) or other type of vehicle door handle assembly, whileremaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5, light strip or assembly 118 is disposed along anouter portion of the handle portion 114 and includes a light housing 126and a lens and light pipe sub-assembly or combination 128, which arereceived between strap portion 114 and bezel portion 116. Theillumination source 120 is disposed at an end of the light strip 118 andis operable to emit light into the light housing 126 and along the lightpipe 128 to provide substantially uniform lighting along the light strip118 at and along the outer surface of the door handle. The light pipemay comprise any suitable light pipe, such as a flexible light pipe thatmay flex to conform to the contours of the door handle and thus providea substantially uniform lighting along the exterior surface of the doorhandle.

As best shown in FIG. 6, illumination source 120 comprises a lightemitting diode 121 (or other suitable light source) that is disposed ata circuit element or printed circuit board 130 and that is actuatablevia an electrical switch or button 132 at circuit element 130. As shownin FIG. 5, switch 132 is received or disposed at a button element 134(such as a flexible or movable element) that is at least partiallyreceived through an opening 116 a at the bezel portion 116 so as to beaccessible and actuatable by a user outside of the vehicle. Thus, when aperson grasps handle portion 114, such as to open the vehicle door, theperson may depress or actuate button 134, which in turn actuates switch132, which may unlock or lock the vehicle door (and optionally mayenergize or actuate light emitting diode 121 to illuminate the outersurface region of the door handle).

In the illustrated embodiment, light emitting diode 121 is sidewardlymounted at circuit element 130 at a generally U-shaped portion of thecircuit element, where two prongs or legs 130 a protrude from a base orgenerally square-shaped portion 130 b at which the switch circuitry isestablished. The illumination source 120 is partially received at an endof the light housing, with switch 132 protruding through an aperture 126a in light housing 126 that is generally aligned with aperture 116 a ofbezel 116. The prongs or legs 130 a of circuit element 130 are receivedin correspondingly formed receptacles or attachment portions of lighthousing 126 and light pipe 128 is partially received in light housing126 (and the circuit element 130 may be retained therein via a pottingmaterial or compound 131 or the like), such that, when assembled, lightemanating from light emitting diode 121 is received at an end region oropening 128 a (FIG. 6) of light pipe 128 and is transmitted along lightpipe 128. An outer surface or portion or cover or lens 128 b of lightpipe 128 is received at or at least partially through a slot or aperture116 b of bezel portion 116, and outer surface or portion 128 b of lightpipe 128 may be translucent or transparent (and may comprise a diffusingmaterial or the like or may comprise one or more backlit icons orindicia or logo or the like) so that light emitted by light emittingdiode 121 is guided along light pipe 128 and emanates or transmitsthrough cover or outer portion 128 b of light pipe 128 at bezel portion116.

Optionally, the light strip may be disposed behind a transparent orsemi-transparent or colored or metallic colored and partially lighttransmitting panel or layer or cover or element, such that the lightstrip may be viewable when activated, but substantially not viewable ordiscernible behind the panel or layer or element when not activated. Thepartially light transmitting cover or panel or layer or element may bepartially reflective or opaque or colored so as to provide an enhancedappearance to the door handle, where the illumination module or lightstrip is substantially hidden within the door handle and is viewable anddiscernible when activated or powered. The partially light transmittingcover or panel or layer or element may comprise a generally transparentor translucent element with a partially transmitting and partiallyopaque or reflective coating thereon or the element may be formed ordyed or colored with a material that allows for partial transmission oflight therethrough and yet providing an opaque or reflective appearanceat the door handle when the light strip is deactivated. Optionally, thecover material may utilize aspects of the door handles described inand/or PCT Application No. PCT/US08/62347, filed May 2, 2008 andpublished Nov. 13, 2008 as International Publication No. WO 2008/137634,which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Optionally, the cover material or coating may be selected to allow fortransmission of light emitted by the light strip while substantiallyattenuating or reflecting light having other wavelengths, such as byutilizing aspects of the transflective mirror substrates described inU.S. Pat. No. 7,274,501, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

Optionally, the door handle assembly may include a capacitive sensor orother sensor or sensing device for sensing the presence of a person atthe door handle, so that the light strip may be activated or illuminatedin response to a detected presence (such as in response to a detectionof a person's hand at or near the door handle). Optionally, the sensormay detect the presence of a person and may recognize an authorized useror driver of the vehicle and the door may be automatically unlocked inresponse to such a detection.

When utilizing a light bar or strip at or on the surface of a doorhandle, the location of the light strip is at or on the Class A surfaceof the door handle and the person's hand may partially cover the lightsource during entry. However, the light strip may be activated andillumination provided as the person approaches the vehicle and beforegrasping the door handle so that the benefits of the illumination at thedoor handle are achieved before the person grasps the door handle toopen the vehicle door. The illumination module or device may beactivated by a passive entry system or tied into the vehicle'selectrical structure to activate the illumination module of the doorhandle. Optionally, the light bar or strip may be provided in variouscolors that may be selected for the particular application and may becoupled with other exterior lighting schemes or trim color schemes tomaintain a consistent lighting/trim theme for the vehicle.

Thus, the door handle of the present invention provides a generally orsubstantially uniform lighting pattern or glow along the handle portionof the vehicle door handle. The light source may be actuatable by a userdepressing or touching (for applications where the door handle or buttonmay be touch sensitive or proximity sensitive) the door handle, and/orthe light source may be actuatable responsive to any other suitableinput or signal, such as in response to at least one of a touch of thedoor handle, a movement of the strap or handle portion, actuation of aremote keyless entry module, or passive entry device, a motion detectionat the vehicle, and an insertion of a key into a keyhole at the doorhandle. Preferably, the illumination source is deactuatable following aperiod of time after actuation of the illumination source. Optionally,the light module and/or illumination source may have a dimming controlfeature or function, such that the illumination source, when activated,is ramped up or progressively powered up to its full illumination state,and when deactivated, is ramped down or dimmed or progressively powereddown to its deactivated state. The light module or device of the presentinvention utilizes an elongated light pipe that is disposed along thehandle and that uses a single light emitting diode (or other suitablelight source) to achieve substantially uniform lighting or illuminationor backlighting along the exterior surface of the door handle and in asubstantially small or tight packaging space.

The illumination module may provide a common circuit element or circuitboard for providing the lighting feature (such as responsive to a touchor proximity at the door handle and/or to a passive entry system or keyfob signal or the like) and for providing a door unlocking feature viathe button and associated circuitry of the module. The door thus may beunlocked responsive to a passive entry system or key fob signal oroptionally a touch or proximity sensor at the door handle (inconjunction with a recognition by a passive entry system that the useris authorized to unlock and enter the vehicle), and may be locked via auser pressing the button at the door handle, whereby the circuitry ofthe module may lock the vehicle door (and may illuminate or energize thelight emitting diode to illuminate the door handle and confirm to theuser that the door is locked).

The illumination source may comprise any suitable illumination source,such as a light emitting diode (LED), such as a white LED or highintensity power LED (such as the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos.7,195,381 and/or 6,690,268, which are hereby incorporated herein byreference in their entireties) or organic light emitting diode (OLED) orelectroluminescent light source or the like. The illumination source maycomprise a substantially white light emitting illumination source, ormay comprise a colored light emitting illumination source (or a whitelight emitting illumination source may emit light that passes through acolor filter or the like) to provide color illumination (such as blue orother color as desired) at and along the door handle depending on theparticular application of the door handle assembly and illuminationmodule. For example, the illumination module may emit or transmitcolored light that may match or correspond to the interior and/orexterior lighting of the particular vehicle to which the door handleassembly is mounted.

Optionally, other lighting means may be implemented to providesubstantially uniform lighting or backlighting or glow along an outersurface of the door handle. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 8and 9, a light module or light strip 218 may comprise a base portion orcircuit element or circuit board 230 that has a plurality of sideemitting light emitting diodes 221 (or other suitable light source orsources) disposed or established thereat and spaced apart along oppositeside regions of the circuit board 230. A cover or housing 226 isdisposed over the circuit board 230 and may at least partially receivethe circuit board 230 and light emitting diodes 221 therein. Forexample, and as can be seen in FIG. 8, the light emitting diodes 221 maybe received in a cavity or chamber 226 a of cover 226. The cover 226includes a clear lens strip 228 disposed or established along the cover,such that, when the light emitting diodes 221 are activated orenergized, light emanating from the light emitting diodes passes ortransmits through the lens strip 228 (which may be partially orsubstantially translucent or clear and/or may include or comprise adiffusing material or the like) so as to provide illumination along theouter surface of the door handle, such as in a similar manner asdescribed above. The light strip 218 may be mounted or received withinand along the handle portion of the door handle assembly, such as via apotting material or compound 231 or the like disposed along the circuitelement or board 230. An electrical connector 230 a may be establishedat circuit board 230 and may protrude therefrom and through an aperture231 a of potting compound 231 for electrical connection to a vehiclepower source or control circuitry or the like, such as control circuitryof the door handle assembly and/or of the vehicle.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a vehicle door handleassembly 310 includes a base portion or cap portion that is mountable toa vehicle door and a handle or strap portion 314 that is pivotallymounted to the door or to a second or front base portion or bracketmounted to the door. Door handle assembly 310 includes a light strip orassembly 318 that is illuminated via at least one illumination source320 at the handle portion 314 for providing illumination along the outersurface or bezel 316 of the handle assembly 310, such as in a similarmanner as discussed above with respect to door handle assembly 110.

In the illustrated embodiment, light strip or assembly 318 is disposedalong an outer portion of the handle portion 314 and includes a lighthousing 326, a light pipe 327 (such as a flexible light pipe or element)and a lens 328, which are received or disposed between strap portion 314and bezel portion 316. The illumination source 320 is disposed at an endof the light strip 318 and is operable to emit light into the lighthousing 326 and along the light pipe 327 to provide substantiallyuniform lighting along the light strip 318 at and along the outersurface of the door handle.

As best shown in FIG. 11, illumination source 320 comprises a lightemitting diode 321 (or other suitable light source) that is disposed ata circuit element or printed circuit board 330 and that may beactuatable responsive to a signal or input (such as responsive to apassive entry system or key fob signal or the like), or that may beactuatable responsive to a user input, such as a user actuating theelectrical switch or button 332 at circuit element 330 (with the buttonand switch also being operable to actuate/deactuate other features ofthe door handle or door or vehicle, such as for locking/unlocking thevehicle door or the like). In the illustrated embodiment, light emittingdiode 321 comprises a reverse mounted light emitting diode that isestablished at a circuit element 330 a that protrudes from and may begenerally normal to circuit element 330. As shown in FIG. 10, switch 332is received or disposed at a button element 334 (such as a flexible ormovable element) that is at least partially received through an opening316 a at the bezel portion 316 so as to be accessible and actuatable bya user outside of the vehicle. Thus, when a person grasps handle portion314, such as to open the vehicle door, the person may depress or actuatebutton 334, which in turn actuates switch 332, which may lock or unlockthe vehicle door and which optionally may energize or actuate lightemitting diode 321 to illuminate the outer surface region of the doorhandle.

The illumination source 320 is partially received at an end of the lighthousing, with switch 332 protruding through an aperture 326 a in lighthousing 326 that is generally aligned with aperture 316 a of bezel 316.The circuit element 330 is received in a correspondingly formedreceptacle or attachment portion 326 b of light housing 326 and lightpipe 327 is partially received in light housing 326 (and the circuitelement 330 may be retained therein via a potting material or compound331 or the like), such that, when assembled, light emanating from lightemitting diode 321 is received at an end region or opening 327 a oflight pipe 327 and is transmitted along light pipe 327. An outer surfaceor portion or cover or lens 328 a of cover 328 is received at or atleast partially through a slot or aperture 316 b of bezel portion 316,and outer surface or portion 328 a of cover 328 may be translucent ortransparent (and may comprise a diffusing material or the like or maycomprise one or more backlit icons or indicia or logo or the like) sothat light emitted by light emitting diode 321 is guided along lightpipe 327 and emanates or transmits through cover or outer surface orlens 328 a of cover 328 at bezel portion 316.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13, a vehicle door handleassembly 310′ may be substantially similar to vehicle door handleassembly 310, discussed above, but includes a dual light pipeconstruction having two light pipes 327′, each illuminated by arespective light emitting diode 321′. The light pipes 327′ are receivedin a dual light housing 326′ (which is received at handle portion 314′)and receive light emitted by light emitting diodes 321′ of theillumination source 320′. A cover or lens 328′ is disposed at housing326′, with an outer surface of lens 328 a′ exposed at the bezel portion316′, such as in a similar manner as discussed above with respect todoor handle assembly 310. Door handle assembly 310′ may otherwise besubstantially similar to door handle assembly 310, discussed above, suchthat a detailed discussion of the door handle assemblies need not berepeated herein. The similar components are referenced in FIGS. 12 and13 with similar reference numbers as used to reference the components ofthe door handle assembly 310 of FIGS. 10 and 11.

Optionally, and with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15, an illuminationmodule 410 may be disposed at a vehicle door handle or at an exteriorrearview mirror assembly or the like at a side and exterior portion of avehicle, with the illumination module 410 providing (a) projection orbacklighting of an image using a backlighting or projecting light source412 (such as a light emitting diode or electroluminescent light sourceor the like) and (b) ground illumination using a single or multipleground illuminating light source 414 (such as one or more light emittingdiodes or electroluminescent light sources or the like). Illuminationmodule 410 includes a housing or casing 416 that is configured to bereceived (and optionally snapped or otherwise secured) at or in anopening of the door handle or mirror assembly, with a flange portion 418a of an outer portion or cover 418 of housing 416 being at or generallyflush with the outer surface of the door handle or mirror at which theillumination module is mounted.

As shown in FIG. 15, illumination module 410 includes a circuit element420 (such as a printed circuit board or the like) with at least oneprojecting or backlighting light emitting diode 412 established thereatand at least one ground illuminating light emitting diode 414established thereat. In the illustrated embodiment, the circuit element420 is supported at housing 416 so that the circuit element is angledrelative to the outer cover 418 of the module. The angle of the circuitelement may be selected depending on the particular application of theillumination module, and may result in light emanating from either orboth of the illumination sources being directed generally downward andpartially away from the side of the vehicle at which the illuminationmodule is disposed.

Ground illuminating light emitting diode 414 is disposed behind a lightreflecting/light directing structure or lens 422 (that may be part ofcover 418) that is configured to direct or guide or reflect lightemanating from ground illumination light emitting diode 414 generallydownwardly and to the right in FIG. 15. Thus, when illumination module410 is mounted at a side of a vehicle, light emanating from groundilluminating light emitting diode 414 (when ground illuminating lightemitting diode 414 is powered) is directed generally downwardly andrearwardly and/or away from the vehicle to illuminate the ground areaadjacent the side of the vehicle.

Projecting light emitting diode 412 is also disposed at circuit element420 and is disposed behind a lens assembly 424 that guides and directsand focuses light emanating from projecting light emitting diode 412(when projecting light emitting diode 412 is powered) generallydownwardly and rearwardly and/or away from the vehicle to project thedesired light or color or image at the side of the vehicle. Optionally,the lens assembly 424 may include an icon element or template or thelike so that, when projecting light emitting diode 412 is powered, lightemanating from projecting light emitting diode 412 backlights an icon(or indicia or logo or the like) established at the icon element so thatan image of the icon is viewable at illumination module and/or isprojected by illumination module and onto the ground area adjacent thevehicle (or elsewhere at or near the side of the vehicle depending onthe lens assembly and angle of the circuit element and lens assembly).

Optionally, and as shown in FIG. 15, the light emanating from theprojecting light emitting diode 412 may first pass through a condenseror optic element or lens 430, which directs the light toward and throughthe lens assembly 424, and which may have opaque ornon-light-transmitting side walls 430 a (and/or a lens holding portion416 a of housing 416 may comprise opaque or non-light-transmitting sidewalls) to limit light emanating into the housing and into the groundillumination portion of the light module. Optionally, the side walls 430a of the optic element 430 (and/or the side walls of the lens holdingportion of the housing) may have a reflective coating or layer so as toreflect the light within the optic element or lens holding portioninward to enhance the intensity of light passing through the opticelement and lens assembly for projecting an iconistic or icon image ontothe ground at or near the side of the vehicle. The condenser or opticelement 430 may comprise any suitable material, and may comprise amolded polycarbonate or plastic element or the like.

The cover 418 of illumination module 410 may be at least partially orsubstantially translucent or transparent at least at the illuminationsources such that illumination emitted via the illumination sources istransmitted through the cover at the illumination regions and toward thevehicle side or door or ground area. The illumination regions may have alens or aperture thereat to direct the light in the desired directionand in the desired manner. Optionally, the illumination regions of thecover may provide a diffusing optic or diffusing effect or frosting todiffuse or spread out the emitted light to provide substantially uniformillumination and to limit or substantially preclude bright spots at thevehicle side or door when the illumination source is activated.

As shown in FIG. 15, illumination module 410 comprises a unitary modulethat may be plugged in or installed or attached at an opening at avehicle (such as an opening at a door handle or exterior rearview mirroror trim element or the like) and may comprise a substantially waterimpervious sealed module (optionally, with outer cover 418 comprising aunitary construction and including lens 422 and an outer portion 423 atprojecting lens assembly 424 (and optionally with the cover 418comprising a transparent cover with a light directing portion 422 aoptionally having a reflective coating or the like established thereat).An electrical lead 426 (such as a pair of wires or the like) iselectrically connected to circuitry at the circuit element or board 420and may include one or more terminals extending through and from a rearportion or wall 428 of the casing or housing 416 for electricallyconnecting the illumination module to a power source and/or control ofthe vehicle and/or door and/or exterior rearview mirror assembly and/orthe like.

Therefore, the illumination module 410 provides a dual function and isoperable to provide a light projection function (such as projection ofnon-white light, such as a selected color or such as a variable color orthe like to optionally coordinate with an interior color scheme of thevehicle or the like) with one (or more) light emitting diode (or othersuitable light source) and a ground illumination function (such as viaone or more white light-emitting light emitting diodes or other suitablelight source). The illumination module comprises a self-containedunitary sealed module with two light emitting diodes and any suitablelens/light guiding element to provide the desired illumination effectwith each of the illumination sources.

The illumination module thus may comprise a small, self-contained modulethat includes a housing that substantially encases the illuminationsources and circuitry of the illumination module. The housing and/orcover attached thereto includes an outer wall that substantiallycorresponds to the contours of the door handle assembly or mirrorassembly at the illumination module such that the outer vehicle surfacehas a substantially continuous outer surface or wall at the illuminationmodule. The module and housing may be substantially sealed so as to besubstantially impervious to water, dirt, debris and the like, so thatthe module is well suited for the exterior application at the vehicledoor handle.

Optionally, the illumination module may include a single illuminationsource, such as a single light emitting diode, such that theillumination module is operable to provide both ground illumination andlight projection with a single or common illumination source of lightemitting diode. For example, and with reference to FIGS. 16-18, anillumination module 510 includes a circuit element 520 (such as aprinted circuit board or the like) with a single or common projectingand backlighting and ground illuminating illumination source 512 (suchas a single light emitting diode or the like) established thereat. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the circuit element 520 is supported athousing 516 so that the circuit element is angled relative to theportion 518 a of the outer cover 518 of the module that is generallycoplanar with the lower surface of the mirror casing or door handle orvehicle portion at which the illumination module is mounted. The angleof the circuit element may be selected depending on the particularapplication of the illumination module, and may result in lightemanating from the illumination source being directed generally downwardand partially away from the side of the vehicle at which theillumination module is disposed.

As shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, illumination module 510 includes acondenser or optic element 530 disposed at the circuit element 520 sothat a passageway of the condenser 530 is generally at the illuminationsource 512, and with a mask or masking element 532 disposed at theopposite end region of the condenser from the illumination source. Aprojecting lens assembly 524 is disposed at the condenser 530 andcomprises a first projection lens 524 a and a second projection lens 524b disposed at the condenser and along an optical path between the lightemitting diode 512 and the cover 518. The cover 518 is attached at theouter end region of the housing 516 distal from the circuit element 520,and includes a ground illumination lens 522.

As shown in FIG. 18, the condenser 530 includes a central condensinglens portion 530 a that focuses or intensifies the light emanating fromthe light emitting diode 512 and directs that light to and through themasking element 532 and the projecting lenses 524 a, 524 b to providethe projecting function. The lens 522 at cover 518 includes a generallycentral projecting portion 522 a that is disposed at projecting lens 524b, such that the light projected by lens assembly 524 passes throughprojecting portion 522 a to project the icon or image (established atmasking element 532) onto the ground at or near the vehicle.

The condenser or optic element 530 also includes an outer portion 530 bthat more broadly or diffusely directs or guides or reflects lightemanating from the light emitting diode 512 around (and not through) themasking element 532 and projecting lenses 524 a, 524 b, whereby thelight that passes through outer portion 530 b of condenser 530 isdirected or guided or reflected to and through the ground illuminationlens portion 522 b of lens 522 at cover 518. The condenser may haverefractive properties to provide redirection or guiding of the lighttoward the ground illumination lens portion 522 b of the cover. Thecondenser or optic element 530 may comprise any suitable material, andmay comprise a molded polycarbonate or plastic element or the like.Optionally, the outer surface of the outer portion 530 b of condenser530 (and optionally the inner surface of the condenser as well) may havea reflective coating or layer to reflect light in the desired directiontowards the lens portion 522 b of lens 522 at cover 518 to enhance theintensity of light passing through the condenser and lens portion 522 bfor illuminating the ground at or near the side of the vehicle.Optionally, the illumination source or light emitting diode may comprisea 90 degree light emitting diode (having an angled or 90 degree lightpattern) or the like such that a substantial amount of light is directedor emitted at least partially towards the side walls of the condenser toenhance the amount of light that passes through and along the condensertowards the ground illumination lens portion 522 at cover 518 (whilestill providing sufficient light for passing through central portion 530a of condenser for providing the projecting illumination at the groundarea at or near the side of the vehicle).

As shown in FIG. 17, the ground illumination lens portion 522 b isformed to receive light from the outer portion 530 b of condenser 530and to broadly direct or diffusely direct or reflect the light towardthe ground area at or near the side of the vehicle at which theillumination module is disposed. The shape or configuration of theground illumination lens portion 522 b is selected or established toprovide the desired ground illumination effect (such as a desired sizeand/or shape of the ground illumination area or zone at the side of thevehicle when the light module is activated). Although shown as havingthe ground illumination lens portion spaced from the condenser, it isenvisioned that the light module may have an optical path around theprojection lens assembly that comprises a light pipe or other lightguiding element to enhance passage of light from the outer portion ofthe condenser to the ground illumination lens portion to provideenhanced ground illumination at the side of the vehicle. The lightmodule may include opaque or non-light-transmitting separating wallsbetween the projecting lens assembly and the ground illumination lightpipe or the like to provide the desired or appropriate light control orguiding of the light emanating from the single or common light emittingdiode.

As shown in FIGS. 16 and 18, illumination module 510 comprises a unitarymodule that may be plugged in or installed or attached at an opening ata vehicle (such as an opening at a door handle or exterior rearviewmirror or trim element or the like) and may comprise a substantiallywater impervious sealed module (optionally, with outer cover 518comprising a unitary construction and including lens 522 (and with thecover 518 comprising a transparent cover with a light directing orguiding or reflecting portion 518 b optionally having a reflectivecoating or the like established thereat). An electrical lead (such as apair of wires or the like) is electrically connected to circuitry at thecircuit element or board 520 and may include one or more terminals 534extending through and from circuit element 520 and/or a rear portion orwall of the casing or housing of the module for electrically connectingthe illumination module to a power source and/or control of the vehicleand/or door and/or exterior rearview mirror assembly and/or the like.

The condenser 530 and light emitting diode 512 are disposed behind thelight reflecting/light directing structure or lens 522 b (that may bepart of cover 518) that is configured to direct or guide or reflectlight emanating from light emitting diode 512 generally downwardly andto the right in FIG. 18. Thus, when illumination module 510 is mountedat a side of a vehicle, some of the light emanating from light emittingdiode 512 (when light emitting diode 512 is powered) passes through theside portion of the condenser and through lens 522 b and is directedgenerally downwardly and rearwardly and/or away from the vehicle toilluminate the ground area adjacent the side of the vehicle.

Also, the light emitting diode 512 is disposed behind the centralportion of the condenser 530 and the lens assembly 524, which functionto guide and direct and focus some of the light emanating from lightemitting diode 512 (when light emitting diode 512 is powered) throughthe masking element and generally downwardly and rearwardly and/or awayfrom the vehicle to project the desired light or color or image or iconat the side of the vehicle. The lens assembly 524 includes or isdisposed at the iconistic element or icon element or template or maskingelement 532 or the like so that, when light emitting diode 512 ispowered, light emanating from light emitting diode 512 backlights orpasses through an icon (or indicia or logo or the like) established atthe icon element 532 so that an image of the icon is viewable atillumination module and/or is projected by illumination module and ontothe ground area adjacent the vehicle (or elsewhere at or near the sideof the vehicle depending on the lens assembly and angle of the circuitelement and lens assembly).

Optionally, the masking element may comprise a clear plastic or glasselement with an icon established thereat (such as by providing the iconor form at clear portions of the masking element, with the surroundingportions of the masking element being darkened or less clear or havingreduced light transmissivity). The projected image thus may be a whitelight icon that is generally a brighter white than the surroundingground illuminator light (such as shown in FIG. 20). Optionally, inorder to have enhanced contrast between the iconistic/icon projectionand the ground illumination at the ground area when the light module isactivated, the masking element may comprise a colored mask for theprojected image, such that the projected image or icon is colored (suchas red and/or blue and/or any other desired or selected color), whilethe ground illumination surrounding the projected image or icon is white(or other selected color, as may be determined by coloring the groundillumination lens and/or the condenser and/or the light emitting diodeand/or providing a variable colored light emitting diode or the like).Thus, the light module may provide the desired ground illumination andicon projection, and may do so with the projected icon and/or thesurrounding ground illumination being a selected color and with adesired contrast between the projected icon and the surrounding groundillumination.

The cover 518 of illumination module 510 may be at least partially orsubstantially translucent or transparent at least at the illuminationsource such that illumination emitted via the illumination source istransmitted through the cover at the illumination regions and toward thevehicle side or door or ground area. The illumination regions may have alens or aperture thereat to direct the light in the desired directionand in the desired manner. Optionally, the illumination regions of thecover may provide a diffusing optic or diffusing effect or frosting todiffuse or spread out the emitted light to provide substantially uniformillumination and to limit or substantially preclude bright spots at thevehicle side or door when the illumination source is activated.

Therefore, the illumination module 510 provides a dual function and isoperable to provide a light projection function (such as projection ofnon-white light, such as a selected color or such as a variable color orthe like to optionally coordinate with an interior color scheme of thevehicle or the like) with a single light emitting diode (or othersuitable light source) and a ground illumination function (such as viaone or more white light-emitting light emitting diodes or other suitablelight source) via the same or common light emitting diode (or via acommon set of light emitting diodes, such as two or more light emittingdiodes that operate together to provide both the ground illumination andicon projection features). The illumination module comprises aself-contained unitary sealed module with a light emitting diode and anysuitable lens/light guiding element to provide the desired illuminationeffect with the common illumination source.

The illumination module thus may comprise a small, self-contained modulethat includes a housing that substantially encases the illuminationsources and circuitry of the illumination module. The housing and/orcover attached thereto includes an outer wall that substantiallycorresponds to the contours of the door handle assembly or mirrorassembly at the illumination module such that the outer vehicle surfacehas a substantially continuous outer surface or wall at the illuminationmodule. The module and housing may be substantially sealed so as to besubstantially impervious to water, dirt, debris and the like, so thatthe module is well suited for the exterior application at the vehicledoor handle.

Thus, the light module 510 provides the function of ground illuminationand projection light by the use of a single or common light emittingdiode. Typically, projection lights provide a very narrow beam of light.When projected on the ground, the “illumination circle” is about 300-500mm (such as shown, for example, in FIG. 19). The light module of thepresent invention provides such illumination capability and alsoprovides ground illumination of at least approximately 2 lux, andpreferably at least approximately 4 lux, over about a 600 mm by 1200 mmgenerally rectangular-shaped (or other shape) ground illumination areaor zone, while providing a focused projection of the icon or imagewithin the ground illumination zone (such as shown, for example, in FIG.20). Thus, the present invention provides both a projection light and aground illumination light with a single light module and with a singleor common illumination or light source.

Although shown and described as being disposed at an exterior rearviewmirror assembly and/or door handle and/or exterior portion of a vehiclefor providing illumination at a side of a vehicle, it is envisioned thatthe light module of the present invention is suitable for otherapplications. For example, a light module of the present invention maybe disposed at an interior portion of a vehicle, such as at an interiorrearview mirror assembly (such as at a mirror casing or behind areflective element and viewable through the reflective element or thelike) of the vehicle or the like, whereby actuation of the light modulemay provide broad illumination of the dashboard and/or instrument panelof the vehicle (generally beneath the mirror assembly), and may projecta beam of light to illuminate (such as at a greater intensity of lightas compared to the broad illumination) a targeted portion of theinterior of the vehicle (such as for map reading or the like). Also, forexample, a light module of the present invention may be suitable for usein non-automotive lighting applications, such as residential lighting orcommercial lighting or the like. For example, a light module of thepresent invention may be converted to replace a household or residentialor commercial business or office building light bulb, whereby the lightmodule may provide normal lighting (that broadly illuminates the areasurrounding the light module) in addition to projection lighting, suchas in a similar manner as described above. A light module for such anapplication may be similar to light module 510, discussed above, and mayhave a condenser and ground illumination lens that provide the desiredrange of illumination. For example, for a light bulb for a recessedlight, the light bulb may provide illumination that covers a wide regionbelow the light (so as to illuminate a desired or appropriate sized areaor zone of a floor below the recessed light), and may provide an iconprojected at a center (or non-centered) region of the ground or floorillumination. For example, such a light bulb may be disposed in ahallway and may provide broad illumination of the hallway, with aprojected icon that provides directions or the like on the floor of thehallway to help a person find their targeted destination, such as in anoffice building or the like.

Optionally, the door handle assembly or mirror assembly or illuminationmodule may include or may be associated with an antenna for receivingsignals from or communicating with a remote device. For example, theantenna (such as, for example, an antenna of the types described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,977,619, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety) may communicate a signal to the door locking system via awire connection or the like, or wirelessly, such as via a radiofrequency signal or via an infrared signal or via other wirelesssignaling means. Such connections can include cables, wires, fiber opticcables or the like. The communication to the locking system may be via avehicle bus or multiplex system, such as a LIN (Local InterconnectNetwork) or CAN (Car or Controlled Area Network) system, such asdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,291,905; 6,396,408 and/or 6,477,464, whichare all hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Thevehicle door may then be unlocked and/or the illumination source orsources may be activated as a person carrying a remote signaling deviceapproaches the door handle. Optionally, other systems may be activatedin response to the remote signaling device, such as vehicle lightingsystems, such as interior lights, security lights or the like (such assecurity lights of the types disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,280,069;6,276,821; 6,176,602; 6,152,590; 6,149,287; 6,139,172; 6,086,229;5,938,321; 5,671,996; 5,497,305; 6,416,208 and/or 6,568,839, all ofwhich are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties),or the vehicle ignition, or any other desired system, while remainingwithin the spirit and scope of the present invention. The door handleand/or illumination module may be in communication with other systemsand/or controls of the vehicle door and/or vehicle, such as by utilizingaspects of the door systems described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 12/499,183, filed Jul. 8, 2009 and published Jan. 14, 2010 as U.S.Publication No. US-2010-0007463, which is hereby incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

Optionally, and with reference to FIG. 21, a vehicle door handle 610(such as the driver side exterior door handle or passenger side exteriordoor handle or rear exterior door or liftgate handle or actuator at theside or rear of a vehicle) may include a microcontroller 612 and a nearfield communications Application Specific Integrated Chip (ASIC) 614(which includes or is associated with an antenna 616), which areoperable to communication with a remote transceiver 618, such as acellular telephone or smartphone or the like (a smartphone, such as usedherein, includes, for example, personal data devices, such as cellularphones or iPods or iPads or tablets or portable computing devices or thelike, that communicate via linking to WiFi networks or cellular networksor the like), and a vehicle system or accessory 620. Near fieldcommunication (NFC) is a set of standards for smartphones and similardevices to establish radio communication with each other by touchingthem together or bringing them into close proximity.

In accordance with the present invention, a NFC-enabled smartphone 618is authenticated to a user's vehicle via the controller and near fieldcommunication chip of the vehicle door handle. The process for thisauthentication may be done through the vehicle's center stack userinterface or some other method of validating an authorized user. Onceauthenticated, the user can then approach the locked vehicle and placethe smartphone in the vicinity of the NFC-enabled door handle. Thisaction would wake up the door handle's NFC system and quickly identifythe smartphone as an authorized user. After such identification is made,communication signals or messages can be sent to various or selectedsystems and/or accessories of the vehicle that would cause selected ordesired actions, such as in a similar manner as what is done with aknown keyfob of a vehicle (such as unlocking doors, opening trunks ordecklids, activating an alarm, activating one or more lights of thevehicle, starting the vehicle's engine and/or the like). Actions such asunlocking doors and loading personalization presets are common invehicles, and could thus be controlled via a user's smartphone.

Thus, the communication system of the present invention includes a doorhandle that provides a communication link between a user or vehicleowner's smartphone and various or selected accessories or systems of thevehicle. A user can thus approach the vehicle (and the door handle), andwhen the smartphone is within a threshold distance of the door handle,the controller of the door handle may receive signals from (and may sendsignals to) the smartphone to identify the smartphone as an authorizeduser. After identification or verification of an authorized device, thesmartphone may communicate signals to the handle controller, whereby thehandle controller may control one or more accessories or systems of thevehicle. Although shown and described as having the control and nearfield communication chip incorporated in a vehicle door handle, it isenvisioned that such a control and near field communication chip (whichmay be provided as a control module or unit or the like) may be locatedelsewhere at an exterior portion of a vehicle, such as at an exteriorrearview mirror assembly of the vehicle (such as a driver side and/orpassenger side exterior rearview mirror assembly) or the like, whileremaining within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thecontrol unit (such as a control at an exterior door handle or exteriormirror or the like) may communicate to the vehicle accessory/system viaany suitable manner, such as via a wireless communication link or awired communication link or via a vehicle communication network or busor the like.

Optionally, the door handle assembly of the present invention mayinclude a soft touch handle portion, such as utilizing the principlesdescribed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,349,450; 6,550,103 and 6,907,643, whichare hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.Optionally, the door handle assembly may include an antenna or the like,such as for sensing or transmitting signals, such as described in U.S.Pat. No. 6,977,619, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference inits entirety.

Optionally, the illumination module and/or an exterior rearview mirrorassembly of the vehicle may incorporate a blind spot indicator device orelement and/or a turn signal indicator device or element, such as byutilizing aspects of the devices described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 8,058,977;7,944,371; 7,492,281; 6,198,409; 5,929,786 and/or 5,786,772, and/or U.S.patent application Ser. No. 12/187,725, filed Aug. 7, 2008, now U.S.Pat. No. 8,786,704, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference intheir entireties. The signal indicator or indication module may includeor utilize aspects of various light modules or systems or devices, suchas the types described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,581,859; 6,227,689;6,582,109; 5,371,659; 5,497,306; 5,669,699; 5,823,654; 6,176,602 and/or6,276,821, and/or PCT Application No. PCT/US2006/018567, filed May 16,2006 and published Nov. 23, 2006 as International Publication No. WO2006/124682, which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in theirentireties. Optionally, the exterior rearview mirror assembly mayinclude a wide angle reflector at or integral with the reflectiveelement, such as by utilizing aspects of the elements described in U.S.Pat. Nos. 7,748,856; 7,255,451; 7,195,381; 6,717,712; 7,126,456;6,315,419; 7,097,312 and/or 6,522,451, and/or U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/187,725, filed Aug. 7, 2008, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,786,704,which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Changes and modifications to the specifically described embodiments maybe carried out without departing from the principles of the presentinvention, which is intended to be limited only by the scope of theappended claims as interpreted according to the principles of patentlaw.

1. A method for unlocking a door for an authorized user of a vehicle viaa door unlocking system of the vehicle, said method comprising:providing a door handle assembly at a handle region of a vehicle door ofa vehicle equipped with the door unlocking system, wherein the doorhandle assembly comprises a handle portion disposed at the vehicle doorand movable to open the vehicle door; providing a locking mechanismoperable to lock and unlock the vehicle door; providing a control at theequipped vehicle; providing a near field communication device at theequipped vehicle; wirelessly communicating, via the near fieldcommunication device of the equipped vehicle, with a near fieldcommunication-enabled smartphone when the smartphone is within athreshold distance from the equipped vehicle; responsive to the nearfield communication device of the equipped vehicle communicating withthe smartphone that is within the threshold distance from the equippedvehicle, determining whether or not the smartphone that is within thethreshold distance and that is communicating with the near fieldcommunication device of the equipped vehicle is an authorized device;authenticating the smartphone as an authorized device for communicationwith the near field communication device of the equipped vehicle; andresponsive to the smartphone that is in communication with the nearfield communication device of the equipped vehicle being authenticatedas an authorized device, actuating, at least in part via the control,the locking mechanism to unlock the vehicle door for the user of theauthorized device.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein, responsive to acommunication from the authorized device to the near field communicationdevice, controlling, at least in part via the control, at least oneaccessory of the equipped vehicle.
 3. The method of claim 2, whereincontrolling, at least in part via the control, at least one accessory ofthe equipped vehicle comprise controlling the at least one accessory viaa vehicle communication bus of the equipped vehicle.
 4. The method ofclaim 3, wherein the vehicle communication bus comprises a LIN bus. 5.The method of claim 3, wherein the vehicle communication bus comprises aCAN bus.
 6. The method of claim 2, wherein controlling at least oneaccessory comprises at least one of (i) opening a decklid of theequipped vehicle, (ii) activating an alarm of the equipped vehicle,(iii) activating a light of the equipped vehicle, (iv) starting theequipped vehicle's engine and (v) loading personalized presets of a userof the authorized device.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the nearfield communication device of the equipped vehicle comprises a nearfield communication chip.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the nearfield communication device is located at an exterior rearview mirrorassembly of the equipped vehicle.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein thecontrol is at least partially located at the door handle assembly of theequipped vehicle.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the controlcomprises a microcontroller disposed at the door handle assembly. 11.The method of claim 9, wherein the near field communication device ofthe equipped vehicle is located at the door handle assembly disposed atthe equipped vehicle.
 12. The method of claim 11, comprising providingan illumination source having at least one light emitting diode as anintegrated part of the door handle assembly.
 13. The method of claim 12,wherein providing the illumination source comprises disposing the atleast one light emitting diode at an end region of the handle portion.14. The method of claim 12, wherein the illumination source is operableto provide ground illumination when the door handle assembly is disposedat the vehicle door.
 15. The method of claim 12, wherein, responsive toa communication from the authorized device to the near fieldcommunication device of the door handle assembly of the equipped vehiclewhen the door handle assembly is disposed at the vehicle door,actuating, at least in part via the control, the at least one lightemitting diode of the illumination source.
 16. The method of claim 12,providing an antenna at the door handle assembly, wherein the antenna isassociated with the near field communication device of the door handleassembly.
 17. A method for unlocking a door for an authorized user of avehicle via a door unlocking system of the vehicle, said methodcomprising: providing a door handle assembly at a handle region of avehicle door of a vehicle equipped with the door unlocking system,wherein the door handle assembly comprises a handle portion disposed atthe vehicle door and movable to open the vehicle door; providing alocking mechanism operable to lock and unlock the vehicle door;providing a control at the equipped vehicle; wherein the control is atleast partially located at the door handle assembly of the equippedvehicle; providing a near field communication device at the door handleassembly; providing an antenna at the door handle assembly, wherein theantenna is associated with the near field communication device of thedoor handle assembly; wirelessly communicating, via the near fieldcommunication device of the door handle assembly, with a near fieldcommunication-enabled smartphone when the smartphone is within athreshold distance from the equipped vehicle; responsive to the nearfield communication device of the door handle assembly communicatingwith the smartphone that is within the threshold distance from theequipped vehicle, determining whether or not the smartphone that iswithin the threshold distance and that is communicating with the nearfield communication device of the door handle assembly is an authorizeddevice; authenticating the smartphone as an authorized device forcommunication with the near field communication device of the doorhandle assembly; responsive to the smartphone that is in communicationwith the near field communication device of the door handle assemblybeing authenticated as an authorized device, actuating, at least in partvia the control, the locking mechanism to unlock the vehicle door forthe user of the authorized device; and controlling, at least in part viathe control, at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle via avehicle communication bus of the equipped vehicle.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein controlling the at least one accessory comprisesactivating a light of the equipped vehicle.
 19. The method of claim 17,wherein controlling the at least one accessory comprises loadingpersonalized presets of a user of the authorized device.
 20. The methodof claim 17, wherein the control comprises a microcontroller disposed atthe door handle assembly.
 21. A method for unlocking a door for anauthorized user of a vehicle via a door unlocking system of the vehicle,said method comprising: providing a door handle assembly at a handleregion of a vehicle door of a vehicle equipped with the door unlockingsystem, wherein the door handle assembly comprises a handle portiondisposed at the vehicle door and movable to open the vehicle door;providing a locking mechanism operable to lock and unlock the vehicledoor; providing a control at the equipped vehicle; providing anillumination source having at least one light emitting diode as anintegrated part of the door handle assembly; providing a near fieldcommunication device at the door handle assembly; providing an antennaat the door handle assembly, wherein the antenna is associated with thenear field communication device of the door handle assembly; wirelesslycommunicating, via the near field communication device of the doorhandle assembly, with a near field communication-enabled smartphone whenthe smartphone is within a threshold distance from the equipped vehicle;responsive to the near field communication device of the door handleassembly communicating with the smartphone that is within the thresholddistance from the equipped vehicle, determining whether or not thesmartphone that is within the threshold distance and that iscommunicating with the near field communication device of the doorhandle assembly is an authorized device; authenticating the smartphoneas an authorized device for communication with the near fieldcommunication device of the door handle assembly; responsive to thesmartphone that is in communication with the near field communicationdevice of the door handle assembly being authenticated as an authorizeddevice, actuating, at least in part via the control, the lockingmechanism to unlock the vehicle door for the user of the authorizeddevice; and controlling, at least in part via the control, at least oneaccessory of the equipped vehicle.
 22. The method of claim 21, whereinproviding the illumination source comprises disposing the at least onelight emitting diode at an end region of the handle portion.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, wherein the illumination source is operable toprovide ground illumination when the door handle assembly is disposed atthe vehicle door.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the controlcomprises a microcontroller disposed at the door handle assembly. 25.The method of claim 21, wherein controlling, at least in part via thecontrol, at least one accessory of the equipped vehicle comprisescontrolling the at least one accessory via a vehicle communication busof the equipped vehicle.
 26. The method of claim 25, wherein controllingthe at least one accessory comprises loading personalized presets of auser of the authorized device.
 27. The method of claim 25, whereincontrolling the at least one accessory comprises activating a light ofthe equipped vehicle.